Keep Your Blood Flowing: Mitral Valve Surgery at Allegheny General Hospital

When your heart is healthy, blood flows smoothly through it — helping your body get the oxygen and energy it needs. But when the mitral valve isn’t working right, that flow can be disrupted, leading to shortness of breath, fatigue, and even heart failure.

At AHN Allegheny General Hospital (AGH), our team of cardiologists treats mitral valve disease with expert care and a personal touch. If you need mitral valve surgery, we’ll guide you every step of the way, from diagnosis through recovery, so you can get back to a healthier life.

What is the mitral valve, and what happens when it’s not working?

The heart has four valves, and each of them serves a purpose. The mitral valve helps control blood flow between the upper and lower parts of your heart. If it is damaged or diseased, it may not close properly — allowing blood to leak backward and forcing your heart to work harder than it should.

“The good news about mitral valve disease is that it’s a type of heart disease that is actually curable,” said Walter E. McGregor, MD, cardiac surgeon at AGH. “Many patients feel stronger, breathe easier, and have more energy after treatment.”

Getting your heart evaluated

Mitral valve disease can worsen over time, so it’s important to catch it early. When you get a heart evaluation at AHN Cardiovascular Institute at AGH, cardiologists will look for symptoms like:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest discomfort or pain
• Hardening around the mitral valve
• Heart valve tissues changing or breaking down
• Valves becoming floppy or too narrow

Your AGH cardiologist will also look at your age, lifestyle, and health history before creating a treatment plan.

Many patients diagnosed with mitral valve disease will start their treatment journey with non-surgical options like medication or yearly monitoring.

“Especially for patients with heart failure, our team will do everything we can to improve mitral valve health through non-surgical treatment methods first,” said Dr. McGregor. “Patients know their bodies best, and we encourage them to let us know how their symptoms are responding.”

If non-surgical treatment methods are inappropriate, your doctor may recommend mitral valve intervention to prevent heart damage.

NOTE: If you ever have severe heart symptoms — like sudden shortness of breath or chest pain — go to the nearest emergency room.

Preparing for surgery

If surgery is recommended as part of your care plan, preparing your body and mind is key. Your care team may suggest:

• Staying active with light exercise
• Eating a healthy, balanced diet and avoiding certain foods
• Making a plan for post-surgery support and medications

Before surgery, your doctors will run tests — such as chest X-rays and bloodwork — to assess the condition of your mitral valve and your overall health going into the procedure.

What to expect during mitral valve surgery

Mitral valve surgery usually takes 3 to 4 hours. During the procedure:

• You’ll receive anesthesia so you won’t feel pain.
• A breathing tube will help your body get oxygen.
• Robotic surgery tools will help the surgeon see your valve clearly and make precise repairs.
• Your damaged valve will be repaired and reconstructed to function like a new one. 

Your surgery team may also use a MitraClip™ device if surgery is felt to be too high-risk.*

Ensuring a smooth recovery

After surgery, you’ll stay in the hospital for at least three days so your doctors can make sure you’re recovering well. They will:

• Make sure your heart is beating normally and monitor you for any signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib).
• Help you start cardiac rehabilitation to improve your heart health.
• Answer any questions and prepare you for a safe, supported recovery at home.

Six weeks after surgery, your care team will do an echocardiogram (medical imaging) to look at your heart and make sure you’re healing properly.

“We don’t just fix the valve and send you home,” said Dr. McGregor. “We walk with you through recovery, checking in often and making sure you’re feeling confident about your healing process.”

Committed to your heart health

If you have mitral valve disease, the heart experts at AHN Allegheny General Hospital are here to help you feel better and get stronger. Learn more about heart valve replacement at AGH.